August 17 1918, Willesden–Although the first were not hired until April 1916, by the summer of 1918 around 27,000 women were employed on British bus, tram, and tube services. However, despite performing the same work as men, they did not receive the same pay; a problem that was only exacerbated in July 1918 when men were given additional 5 shillings per week wartime bonus pay. On August 17, the women at the Willesden bus garage went out on a wildcat strike in protest, and over the coming days the strike spread to other mass transit service and even beyond London; eventually around 18,000 women (and some men) went on strike. One bus conductor told the press:
When we were taken on by the Company they promised to give us whatever rise the men had. We are doing just as much work as the men who realize the justice of our case and are supporting our strike.
Public opinion quickly supported the women, and by 23rd the strike was resolved among bus and tram workers; they would receive the same wartime bonus the men did. The tube strike continued for several more days, and they were able to rectify more (though not all) of their pay disparity.
